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No code tools to build a directory?

I'm considering Webflow now, because it offers great tutorials and also its CMS database to store content to build the directory.

But I'm wondering if there are any better no code tools to build a directory (e.g. https://womenwho.design/ style) in terms of pricing and usability?

  1. 4

    Did you check https://siteoly.com ?
    https://content.siteoly.com/card-designs

    Comes with search, filters, detailed pages, 50+ ready made designs, responsiveness, header, footer, navbar, supports external html and javascripts on all pages

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      I have, but I was a bit thrown off that it's invite only haha. I should give it a go though soon (with discount) before they launch next week!

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    Airtable could be another useful alternative to quickly ship something.

      1. 1

        Thanks both - I'll try these out too :)

  3. 1

    Hi there, you can try MintData - a no-code web app builder. It has a free version available and a bunch of video tutorials. Easy enough for a beginner.
    https://mintdata.com/

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    Hey, so I have been keeping an eye on this post for a while and I was wondering if you care to give us all an update?

    I'm in the process of starting an online directory myself however I am not really sure where to start it and from your feedback I feel like Webflow might be the right choice.

    1. 2

      I'm using Webflow for my online directory :) If you want more design flexibility and don't mind learning a bit more, Webflow is great.

      But if you want to ship something out fast using the templates that the tool provides, you can try Pory or Softr.

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        Amazing, thank you!

        It's a pretty hard process learning, or even having the confidence to take the leap and put it into practice.

        Webflow only seems to give you 100 pages, but I am sure if you ever need more than 100 pages you are going to cover to the likes of Bubble or similar? though you seem to have that well covered with your click system.

        I've so many questions. Do you plan or have to monetised the directory in any way shape or form? or can you see yourself doing this full time?

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          Webflow has amazing video tutorials. They're concise and entertaining! Give it a shot and see if it's something you can try.

          Oh, only 100 pages? Hmm I'm pretty sure I have more than that by now.

          I did have a plan to monetise the job board, but nothing concrete yet. I think it's possible to make it full time, but I don't think I will anytime soon. Not until I have more confidence/runway/planning, that is :) Are you looking to build your own directory to monetise?

          1. 1

            Yeah, I had seen they have tutorials and way in which you can see how others have made their websites (which is brilliant).

            Yeah but maybe that is something I am misunderstanding, but it states "100 pages" on their website.

            Basically its what I am aiming to do. I give up my job (I shouldn't have but I couldn't do it any more for my own mental health) and I am aiming now to monitories 1-3 different directories. A family friend of mine in AUS runs an online directory and it is her full time job and pays her more than most top paying jobs. She puts in the graft when she need to, however she works 8-2 4 days a week... so she has it sorted.

            finefoodwholesalers.com.au (that's her website).

  5. 1

    Hi, have you ever heard Code2 https://www.code2.io/ ? It is like webflow for web apps.

    1. 1

      I have not! Thanks for sharing Code2.

  6. 1

    You can try building it on DrapCode (https://drapcode.com) as it supports out of the box database/collections and workflow as per your use case.

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      Nicee, thanks Steven. How does it differ from Webflow/Bubble? That's my first impression when I look at it.

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        You design capabilities like Webflow and backend/logic capabilities like Bubble. So basically best of both the features in a single platform. Also, we have an featuer of code export, so if at any point of time, you want to host it yourself, then you can do it.

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    You can also check Desech Studio to build the html/css visually. It imports from figma, sketch and adobexd, and integrates with react, angular, vue and material design.

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      Thanks Phoebe! I'll check it out when I get to that level of building :)

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    Hey @yihui what did you end up using for https://womenwho.design. Looks clean. I tried to run it through wappalyzer but couldn't find the NoCode tools.

    1. 1

      Hey @Edmund, good to see you here! I used Webflow to build it with Google Forms + Airtable as forms and Zapier to connect it to Webflow's CMS.

  9. 1

    Hey,
    You can check out DronaHQ (www.dronahq.com/ready-apps/), because currently, I am building a marketing repository on it, and it is a great platform!

    Hope this helps!

    Cheers!

  10. 1

    Hi Yihui, IMHO Both webflow and bubble are overkill for a simple directory, unless you are already an experienced user of these tools. I would use something like AirTable with either Pory or Table2Site. You will be up and running faster and have a more user friendly database to I work with daily. Using this type AirTable setup allows you to also manage of things with AirTable too, like crm or financial stuff.

    I built whynocode.com using this type setup. The resources and inspiration sections are both Pory/AirTable embeds.

    Hope this is useful.

    Cheers,

    Thomas

    1. 1

      Yeah I did think it is a bit of an overkill, but I have future plans to build on top of the site e.g. simple discussions forum and user accounts. Would I need to consider those now (Webflow or bubble might be a better option?), or I'll probably also need to utilise other third party tools?

      1. 1

        If you’re planning to go deeper and add more functionality like you mentioned, then yes, Webflow and or Bubble are a good fit.👍

  11. 1

    Apart from many great resources here.

    You can also put it on Carrd and Airtable directly. Here’s an example

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    I will self plug https://getbiew.com/ is great for doing just that. All you need is a google spreadsheet , you can start for free and customize your subdomain. It has filters and single page views.

    1. 1

      Will check it out, thanks!

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    I think Webflow is the best in terms of custom design & their CMS. Here's a tutorial that may be helpful that I made: https://www.nocode.mba/courses/build-a-curation-site-in-webflow

    1. 1

      Will consider it again after testing out the other tools, thanks!

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    Use WordPress plus the PODS plugin...good tutorials on YouTube. Facet and a couple of others give you slick search of you need it.

    Pods is an amazing tool...it basically gives you airtable inside of WordPress.

    1. 1

      I think I'm not too keen on using WordPress but I'll check it out with the plugin, thanks!

  15. 1

    Hey @yihui 👋

    I would definitely recommend using Webflow for this build and Jetboost if you want some filter/sorting capabilities!

    1. 1

      Second person to mention Webflow + Jetboost :o Will definitely check out the latter, thank you!

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    This is definitely feasible with Bubble.io, I used it to build my site wachdit.com. Let me know if you need any help, it can be a bit confusing at times.

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      Yeah I heard that it has a higher learning curve than Webflow, but sure thanks for the offer!

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    @yihui check out https://softr.io we are releasing airtable integration which will enable you to create nice directories.

    See the video here: https://www.loom.com/share/56dfa474cc5241248e157e8fae3afabf

    1. 1

      Neat - I'll give it shot, thanks a bunch!

  18. 1

    I can highly recommend Webflow - especially if you combine it with Jetboost (https://www.jetboost.io/). I have used Webflow and Jettboost to build a directory of no code tutorials (https://www.nocodelearn.com/).

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      @CasperKp are you available for some custom work? If so can you please message me [email protected]

    2. 1

      I haven't heard of Jetboost so thanks for the suggestion, will check it out!

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